Trail Shoe: Salomon XT Wings S-Lab

Light & Fast: a thumbs-up overall evaluation

The XT Wings S-Lab is presented as a racing shoe, and it certainly looks the part. For runners used to road racers or track spikes, however, the shoes function more like a lightweight trainer, and a good one. Wear testers praised nearly everything about the sole of this shoe: the weight — “just right, not too heavy, but heavy enough to train in” — the flexibility, the traction, the cushioning — “feels cushioned on impact, but not squishy, allowing for a firm push off” — and the stability, provided by a plastic midfoot bridge/post and triple-density EVA. They also enjoyed the orthotic-like fit of the insole and the lightweight upper that doesn’t sacrifice protection through strategic overlays and a rubber “belt” and toe-guard. The speed lacing system, however, received several complaints. Said one, “The biggest problem for me was the laces; you couldn't tighten them where you need them tight.” Another found them OK except at the very front, where the final cross-over felt too far forward and interfered with the big toe. These complaints aside, all of the wear testers gave a thumbs-up overall evaluation to this shoe, which will truly shine when racing on tough trails.